Omega Power Ministries, a Nigerian Christian ministry popularly called OPM have been forced to shut down its free specialist hospital over “marching ground” levies imposed by its host community youths/ leaders in Aluu, Rivers State.
The community which hosts 12 OPM free estates, 1 free specialist hospital & a free skills acquisition centre, insisted the hospital pays the continuous levies which the General Overseer refused to.
The General Overseer of the Omega Power Ministries (OPM) Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, who is also the founder of the hospital said that the OPM free specialist hospital will be shut down indefinitely.
Speaking to newsmen at his residence, Apostle Chinyere said:
“With a heavy heart, I the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, have decided to close down the free hospital in Aluu community with effect from Sunday 5th July 2020.
“This very hard decision was taken as a result of levies imposed on the hospital by the Aluu community.
“OPM free specialist hospital has saved so many lives free of charge. It will interest the public to know that from registration, antenatal, scan, delivery, drugs and postnatal services are free. This is a free hospital which does not discriminate”.
The Apostle having spoken with some of the leaders in the community said he did not have a choice than to shut down the hospital since the leadership of the community insists he pays the levy.
“I feel sad for those pregnant women who have been using the hospital. I urge them to look for another hospital. Once we get a new location that is friendlier, we will come and relocate our equipment. All patients have been advised to stop coming to the hospital”.
It could be recalled that Aluu community was in the negative light of the news in October 2012, when the villagers lynched and killed in the most gruesome manner, four students based on hearsay and false alarm. The four students Chiadika Biringa, Lloyd Toku Mike, Tekena Erikena and Ugonna Obuzor were all friends, first sons of their parents, and students of University of Port Harcourt. The murders were filmed with a mobile phone and uploaded on the internet.